Wasting sales associates time...

[DISH]

I just can't understand why some people take up to 40 minutes of a sales associates time during the busiest time of the year, when they have no intention to buy!

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

[Driftwood]

Heh I used to work in retail back in the day, I feel your pain. Don't waste your time on the tire kickers... I hate to say it, but if they're like that be pushy. Close the sale or move on. Christmas is the only time you'll be able to rack up the big commissions. Not to mention that other customers are waiting to be serviced. I used to have customers walk out of the store because they got tired of waiting.

[advantage21]

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

1. It's illegal to pay someone only on commision, unless they are independent contractors.

2. If you are talking about tire kicking on a $20 item, yes, I agree. If you are talking big ticket items, then you are dead wrong. I "wasted" a lot of salesman time before I dropped 4.5 grand on an LCD TV. I went to several stores and some sales were nice, some were pushy and some was brushing me off when they felt I wasn't going to buy right when they wanted me to. Guess who I went back to when I was ready to buy?

[CodecX81]

Girlfriend works in a clothing store. Last week a couple came in, the man started to pick outfits for his wife..

"try this on".."try this on".."try this on, try this on" etc.
They took an hour trying on clothes.. her manager came and started to assist.

Finally the man said.. All this is no good merchandise. and left.


I can only imagine the burning sensation they had coming from their eyes.

[Rehan]

1. It's illegal to pay someone only on commision, unless they are independent contractors.

Then it would be very odd that CRA even has on their website instructions for setting up payroll for commission-only employees.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=site:c...ommission-only

[mbg]

I just can't understand why some people take up to 40 minutes of a sales associates time during the busiest time of the year, when they have no intention to buy!

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

I don't think it's up to people to do their own Internet research, although I would do it myself. What is a salesperson supposed to do, if not assist customers? Just ring up the sale? That's what cashiers do... salespeople are supposed to be knowledgeable and help someone pick what's right for them by analyzing their situation/budget and answering their questions. I know that type of thing has fallen by the wayside with the uprise of Future Shop and friends, but many people still expect it.

Anyway, I don't know which store you are referring to... but in the case of Future Shop, it's better that you don't ask the salespeople any questions because they usually don't know and will substitute lies in place of knowledge gaps.

I agree, though, that if they have no intention to buy, they should be leaving their window shopping until after the busy Christmas period.

[Carnage]

Most of these associates get paid only commission. During that 20-40 minutes they could have made 3 or 4 sales instead of wasting there time explaining everything to someone because they are to lazy to go on the internet and do there own research.

As others have said it depends on what they're selling.

If it's big ticket TV's then they won't be making multiple sales in those 40 minutes.

If I'm going to be spending thousands of dollars on a TV I surely am going to talk to the guy for 30-40 minutes at least. anything less and I'd say you're rushing in to quick.

The CSR's job is to help the customer understand everything so that they can make a smart decision. There job is not to just process a purchase, that's what a cashier is for.

[lip1978]

I agree, having spent a few months at a FutureShop, while it it the customer's right to ask 40 minutes of questions, it certainly is annoying.

Also, FS employees get paid either a base salary of around $7/hour or the amount they make in commission, whichever is higher. If in December, you're still making base, you should never ever try to sell anything again in your life.

[ferkel]

1. It's illegal to pay someone only on commision, unless they are independent contractors.

You are so wrong there. A lot of sales people work on commission only. If you are in retail.. ya.. you usually get minimum wage plus your 2% commission

[vacitah]

if commision is for people that sell the items for example you sell a $10,000 tv. you make a $150 in commision. if the person returns it do they take the commision back or do you get to keep it. if you are allowed to keep it you can always buy item at one place and return them else where to make money.
this question has been bothering me for years

[rookie]

I see both sides on this topic, therefore I will keep my comments out of this one. I personally do my own DD and do must of my purchases over the internet.

[lip1978]

You lose the amount of commission.
If you sell $150 worth of commission on anything, and someone returns a $10 commission item, you will get $140 on your paycheck.

If you sell $150 during a 2 week period, and you get your pay check, and then someone returns a $100 item, they will remove $100 from your commission from the next 2 week period.
However, if you only are making $75 commission during that 2 week period, you will go down to base ($7/hour) pay.

This is why December is soooo good, and January is soooo bad.

[watewate]

At some stores, any returns (and related commissions) are traced back to the sale person to be dedcuted from his current pay. Other companies (primarily ones with older systems) can't track down the salesperson if the merchandise if returned to another store. So commissions earned on goods returned at another location are not subject to deduction from his pay. Then there are companies that take returns under the 'store', and the associate doesn't suffer in pay.

So sum it up, it all depends on the company.... Most companies with newer systems usually trace back all returns to the salesperson who sold the goods.

[DISH]

I'm talking about $200-$300 digital cameras. Spending upwards of 40 minutes answering stupid questions like " Where does the film go?" or " Can you take off $60 ?"

Yea i'm going to knock off $60 on a $200 digital camera with maybe 20% mark up so I can lose money on the sale

Spending time with somebody on a item and answering there questions is fine when it's no busy and they actually have the intention to buy within a few days.

But answering loads of questions about a $200-$300 camera when they plan on purchasing it next year is frustrating. We probably won't even carry that camera a year from now anyway.

bottom line is this is the only time of the year for sales associates to make any real money. Don't waste there time if you don't have the intention to buy.

[d_jedi]

Maybe some are "advance scouting" for boxing day deals? :->